A whopping €40,000 has been raised in just a few weeks for children’s charities in memory of a brave baby girl who passed away earlier this year.
Little Rosie Cummings from Strabane was born with a heart defect on September 21, 2023. She was the daughter of Richard and Donna Cummings (nee Cunningham from Carndonagh).
Speaking to Donegal Daily this week, heartbroken Donna said an issue with Rosie’s heart was discovered shortly after she was born. She was first transferred to hospital in Belfast, before being sent to the Children’s Heart Centre (CHC) at Crumlin Hospital in Dublin. There, she underwent surgery at just four-days-old. Two days later she had a stent inserted before undergoing open heart surgery when she was only eight-days-of-age.
“She got through all of that, but she had to go back into hospital again before Christmas time – first in Derry, then Belfast and back to Dublin,” Donna explained.
“After Christmas, she had to return to the hospital as she picked up a few viruses. After a week in hospital, she took very ill and unfortunately she could not make it as her wee heart was just not strong enough.”
Rosie passed away peacefully in Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, on January 8, surrounded by her loving mum, dad and sisters Chelsee and Lucy and brother David.
Richard and Donna with their daughters, Chelsee and Lucy, at the fundraising dance. Missing from pic is Rosie’s big brother, David (3).
However, Donna and Richard were determined that little Rosie’s memory would live on and they wanted to do something to help other sick children.
So, they set about organising a dance in the Waterfoot Hotel, Derry, as well as a massive raffle and auction with scores of super prizes. Needless to say, the dance and raffle were a huge success as well as receiving donations through a special ‘Our Heart Warrier’ PayPal account. As a result, they have raised a whopping £34,185 (€39,795) to date for both the CHC ward at Crumlin Hospital and the Children’s Heartbeat Trust in the North.
“The generosity of the people who donated prizes and bought tickets was just unbelievable,” Donna added.
“We never expected that kind of outcome, and the crowd at the dance was just massive. The amount we raised was unbelievable and will be divided equally between both charities.”
Well done to Donna, Richard and to anyone else who contributed in any way in memory of baby Rosie.
You can still make a donation to the fund through the PayPal account which is ourheartwarrior2024@gmail.com or via any family member.
A section of the huge attendance at Rosie’s fundraiser in the Waterfoot Hotel, Derry.